Apparatus for loading flowable material

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for simultaneously loading predetermined quantities of flowable material into a plurality of receivers.

Oct. 21, 1975 United States Patent 1 Red, Jr.

[ APPARATUS FOR LOADING FLOWABLE MATERIAL [73] Assignee:

Primary Examiner-Richard E. Aegerter Assistant ExaminerFrederick R. Schmidt Attorney, Agent, or FirmPravel & Wilson 22 Filed:

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[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 Claim, 9 Drawing Figures Gulden US. Patent 0a. 21, 1975 Sheet 1 of 3 3,913,806

APPARATUS FOR LOADING FLOWABLE MATERIAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates broadly to the field of loading receivers with a flowable material and specifically to the field of loading vertical process vessels with flowable catalysts.

Some of the problems associated with the loading of flowable particulate catalyst material in catalytic reaction vessels and in particular those'having a multitude of small vertical tubes have been addressed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,070,868; 2,690,267; 3,562,998; and 3,608,751. Generally these patents disclosed inventions relating to the protection of the catalyst during loading and achieving proper loading of the tubes to achieve desirable process operating conditions. One U.S. Pat. No. 3,223,490, recognized the need for rapid loading of the reactor tubes to improve reactor utilization time for improving production capacity and employed a vibrator to speed movement of the flowable catalyst into the tubes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the field of a new and improved method and apparatus for loading flowable material.

A predetermined quantity of flowable catalyst material is placed in a plurality of containers mounted on a movable frame using a movable loading tray. Operation of a valve means enables flow of the catalyst material from the plurality of containers into the reactor tubes in a predetermined manner.

An object of the patent invention is to provide a new and improved method and apparatus for loading flowable material.

A further object is to provide a new and improved method and apparatus for loading catalyst into process vessels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation view, partially in section, of the apparatus of the present invention placed in registry with the vertical tubes of a process reactor vessel;

FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the apparatus and having section vi'ews illustrating the apparatus containers filled with a predetermined quantity of flowable catalyst material;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the apparatus after flowing of the catalyst material into the reactor tubes;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view taken along line 55 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view taken along line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view taken along line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating in detail a portion of the movable valve gates of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As illustrated in FIG. 1, apparatus A of the present invention provides a method for simultaneous loading of predetermined quantities of flowable material into a plurality of receivers. The apparatus A is preferably employed in loading a plurality of vertical tubes T of process reactor vessels (not illustrated) having an upper substantially horizontal tubesheet S. The numerous available structural arrangements of the tubesheet S and the plurality of reactor tubes T are well known and one such arrangement is disclosed in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 3,223,490 which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. The tubes T are normally located or positioned on the tubesheet in a regularly spaced layout pattern as is well known. The center line or point distance between adjacent tubes T in a pattern is frequently referred to as the pitch distance between tubes and is normally a constant distance for a particular tubesheet S layout pattern. Of course the present invention should not be considered as limited to any particular arrangement or construction of the vertical tubes in the reactor vessel which receive and support charge of flowable catalyst material in the process flow stream.

The apparatus Aincludes a movable support frame, generally designated 10, preferably having a generally rectangular base number 11 which may be supported on its lower surface 11a by either the tubesheet S or the upper annular edge of the tubes T.

The apparatus A further includes a plurality of receivers or tubular members 12, 12a, 12b, etc., having substantially uniform bores 13 therethrough which are mounted with the frame 10. Each of the tubular members 12, 12a, 12b, etc., are essentially similar in construction and features and for simplicity hereinafter reference will be made to tubular member of members 12, but the disclosure will be applicable to any of the containers 12, 12a, 12b, etc. Also a total of 117 tubular members are illustrated, but the scope of the present invention includes both greater or fewer tubular members 12. The longitudinal axis of the tubular members 12 are located in substantially vertical relationship to the base 11 and tubesheet S to form a plurality of containers for holding a predetermined quantity of flowable catalyst for delivering to the tubes T, and the upper opening of the bore 13 forms or provides an opening for filling the tubular members 12. Preferably, the tubular members 12 are formed of a substantially or sufficiently transparent plastic material for enabling visual determination by an operator or user that bridging of the catalyst has not occurred during filling of the tubular member 12. This is particularly critical since' the height or length of the tubular member 12 is selected or formed to predetermine the exact quantity or volume of catalyst to be placed in each tube T as will be set forth in greater detail hereinafter.

The support frame 10 includes a plurality of support and guide membersl4, l5, l6, and 17 extending vertically upwardly from the base member 11. The catalyst loading apparatus A includes a moveable loading tray 18 which is located adjacent the upper edge of the tubular members 12 in FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 4 the substantially planar or flat loading tray 18 includes a plurality of openings 19 therethrough in which the upper portion of the corresponding plurality of tubular members 12 are positioned. The generally rectangular loading tray 18 is movable vertically to and from a first or upper position adjacent the substantially flat upper opening of the tubular members 12 (FIG. 1) and a second or lower position (FIGS. 2 and 3) spaced from the upper openings of the tubular members 12. The openings 19 provide sufficient clearance about the tubular members 12 to enable the desired vertical movement of the loading tray 18 while blocking any leakage or loss of catalyst therebetween. The loading tray 18 in the second position provides a support for any catalyst in excess of the predetermined amount placed in the tubular members 12 while in the upper position the tray 18 assists or aids in directing the flow into the tubular members 12 during loading of the plurality of tubular members 12 with catalyst. Parallel upwardly extending side walls 20 and 21 and connected by a pair of upwardly extending end walls 22 and 23 provide or form an upwardly extending barrier about the periphery of loading tray 18 to retain the excess flowable catalyst material on the loading tray 18.

The apparatus A includes spaced pivoted lever members 24 and 25 connected at a first or outer ends by tray operating handle rod 26 which provide the means for moving the loading tray 18 vertically between the upper and lower positions. Referring now to FIG. 5, the arm 26 is pivotally mounted with the upstanding vertical frame members 15 by pivot pin 27 while the end of the lever 24 is pivotally connected to a lower end of vertical link member 28 by pin 29. The upper end of the link 28 is pivotally connected to the upstanding end wall 23 of the loading tray 18 by pivot pin 31. The pivot lever 25 is pivotally connected to the upstanding vertical member 14 of the support frame 10 and the end wall 22 of the loading tray 18 by a link member 30 in a similar manner. Thus upward movement of the control rod handle 26 from the lower position to an upper position (illustrated in phantom in FIG. 5) effects movement of the loading tray 18 from the upper position to the lower position while downward movement of handle 26 moves the tray 18 upwardly. The upstanding vertical frame members 14, 15, 16, and 17 guide the vertical movement of the loading tray 18 and provide or form upwardly facing annular shoulders 14a, 15a, 16a, and 17a, respectively, for supporting the loading tray 18 in the lower position.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, the apparatus A includes valve means, generally designated 40, operably associated with each of the tubular members 12 for controlling flow of the catalyst material from the bore 13 of the tubular members 12. For simplicity, the valve means will also be described and referred by by reference to a single unit, but will be applicable to any of the plurality of units. The valve means 40 preferably includes a ring shape member 42 which is secured to the base 11 by suitable means such a welding and which concentrically receives therein and supports in spaced relationship to the base 11 the lower end of the tubular member 12. The ring 42 includes a rectangular flow port or window opening 44 formed therethrough below the lower edge of the supported member 12 through which the flowable catalyst material in the bore 13 may pass or escape. A tapered ellipticaled baffle member 46 is positioned in the ring 42 for directing the flow catalyst in the bore 13 through the flow passage or port 44. Adjacent each flow port 44 is a valve blocking or gate member 48 which is vertically movable from a first lower position (FIG. 7) blocking escape of the catalyst 13 through port 44 and which is movable to second or upper position out of registery with the flow port 44 to enable flow of material from the tubular members 12. Each of the plurality of gates 48 is connected by a connector spacer member 50 with a central operator rod 52 having rounded pin shaped ends 520 and 52b. Spaced parallel valve operator arms 54 and 56 are pivotally mounted with the upstanding frame members 15 and 17 and are connected by a valve control or operator rod or handle 58. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the arm 54 includes a inner end 54a for receiv ing the extension 52a of the operator rod 52 while the operator arm 56 is connected with the end 5212 of ill operator 52in a similar manner. Movement of the handle 58 from the upper position to the lower position (il lustrated in phantom) effects upward vertical movement of both the operator rod 52 and the gates 48 for enabling flow from the tubular members 12 through flow passages 44. Movement of the handle 58 back to the upper position closes off or block flow from the ports 44 with the gates 48.

Apparatus A further includes a vibrator means 60 secured to the support frame 10 for effecting and expediting flow of the catalyst from the tubular members 12 when the valve gate 48 is moved to the upper position. The vibrator means 60 may be selected from many of the commercially available models presently on the market, but preferably a pneumatic operated vibrator is employed for safety reasons.

The apparatus A further includes manifold means, generally designated 62 in FIG. 7, for delivering or directing the flowing catalyst material from the tubular members 12 in a predetermined or preselected pattern to the tubes T through discharge openings or outlets 64 preferably formed through the base member 11. The manifold means 62 includes upstanding side walls 66 connected and associated with each tubular member 12 for containing and directing the flowable material discharged from the connected tubular member 12 and opening 44 to the orifice 64. The pitch and layout of the tubes T on the tubesheet S will predetermine the spacing and alignment of the discharge orifices 64 which in the illustrated embodiment are essentially aligned along the center line of the longer axis of the rectangular base 11 and flush with the lower surface 110. The cross sectional flow area or size of the outlet openings 64 are specifically made smaller than the cross sectional flow area or size of the reactor tubes T to prevent bridging of the flowable catalyst material when flowing into the tubes T. Of course, the manifold means may be arranged to direct the flow of two or more tubular members 12 through a common outlet 64.

OPERATION In the use and operation of the present invention, the catalyst loading apparatus A is placed on the tubesheet S by the user or users with the outlet openings 64 in registration or communication with the specific reactor tubes T to be loaded with the flowable catalyst mate rial. The need for mobility or movement of the apparatus A and the layout and size of the tubesheet S and the sizze of the reactor tubes T in practice effectively determine the number of reactor tubes T that can be loaded in any one operation or cycle of operation. In the illustrated embodiment a plurality of 17 tubes may be loaded per cycle of operation of the apparatus A.

With the openings 64 in registery with the tubes T desired to be loaded, an operator or user will move the valve handle 58 to the upper position for closing the flow ports 44 with the gates 48. The loading tray control handle 26 is then moved to the lower position by the operator for moving the loading tray 18 to the upper position to assist in loading or directing the movement'of the catalyst material into the bore 13 of the tubular members 12. Prior to assembly of the apparatus A the height of the tubular members 12 have been selected to contain or receive a predetermined charge, volume, or quantity of catalyst material established by the volume of the reactor tubes T to be loaded or charged. The adjustment of the movement of the loading tray 18 may be effected by changing the length dimensions of links 28 and 30.

After the tubular members 12 have been filled to an overflowing condition by the operator, the loading tray 18 is moved to the lower position by moving the operator handle 26 to the upper position, as is illustrated in FIG. 2. The operator will then strike or remove the excess catalyst that remains above the upper end of the tubular members 12 to flush level the volume of catalyst for insuring that the predetermined charge of catalyst and not an excess will be directed into the reactor tube T. Any catalyst removed during this operation will be retained in the loading tray 18 and will not be lost or contaminated.

Prior to discharging the tubular members 12, the operator will visually inspect the charge of catalyst in each of the transparent tubular members 12 to insure that bridging has not occurred in the tubular members 12 and that an improper amount of catalyst will be charged to the reactor tubes T from the transparent container 12 due to under filling of the tubular members 12.

As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the operator next moves the valve control rod 58 downwardly for effecting upward movement of the operator rod 52 and the gates 48 for uncovering the flow ports 44 and enabling the flow of catalyst from the tubular members 12 through the connected manifold means 66 and out the outlet orifices 64 into the reactor tubes T. The vibrator means 60 may be employed to expedite and insure complete discharge of the predetermined charge of catalyst from the tubular members 12.

After emptying of the tubular members 12 of the appartus A is complete, the operator or operators will then move the apparatus A in registration with the next number of reactor tubes T to be loaded and the operator rods 26 and 58 are returned to the positions illustrated in FIG. 1. The above cycle is repeated as often as necessary to effect complete loading of all the tubes T in the reactor.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the inveniton are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for loading fiowable granular catalyst material into tubular receptacles at fixed spaced locations, comprising:

a support frame including a base and guide members,

said base having a plurality of apertures therein;

a plurality of manifold means positioned on said base and encompassing each of said apertures, each of said manifold means having an opening in one side thereof;

a plurality of ring means having openings in one side thereof and positioned on said base adjacent each of said manifold means;

a valve means positioned between each of said manifold means and said ring means to selectively com- I municate the interior of each manifold means with the interior of corresponding ring means, each of said ring means including a baffle member for directly material through said opening in said ring means;

a plurality of tubular containers, each container having one end thereof fixed in a corresponding ring means and in communication with said ring means;

a tray slidably mounted on said guide members and containing apertures in the bottom thereof for receiving the other end of said tubular containers; and

means attached to said tray and pivotally mounted on said frame for moving said tray between first and second positions, in said first position the other end of the tubular containers and the bottom of the tray are adjacent one another, and in said second position the said other end of the tubular containers project through the apertures in the bottom of said tray and extend above the bottom of said tray. 

1. Apparatus for loading flowable granular catalyst material into tubular receptacles at fixed spaced locations, comprising: a support frame including a base and guide members, said base having a plurality of apertures therein; a plurality of manifold means positioned on said base and encompassing each of said apertures, each of said manifold means having an opening in one side thereof; a plurality of ring means having openings in one side thereof and positioned on said base adjacent each of said manifold means; a valve means positioned between each of said manifold means and said ring means to selectively communicate the interior of each manifold means with the interior of corresponding ring means, each of said ring means including a baffle member for directly material through said opening in said ring means; a plurality of tubular containers, each container having one end thereof fixed in a corresponding ring means and in communication with said ring means; a tray slidably mounted on said guide members and containing apertures in the bottom thereof for receiving the other end of said tubular containers; and means attached to said tray and pivotally mounted on said frame for moving said tray between first and second positions, in said first position the other end of the tubular containers and the bottom of the tray are adjacent one another, and in said second position the said other end of the tubular containers project through the apertures in the bottom of said tray and extend above the bottom of said tray. 